For the second year in a row, Brandon Aiyuk is the subject of trade rumors. But according to NFL.com insider Mike Garafalo, most of that is just noise.
The longtime NFL writer shot down trade rumors involving the San Francisco 49ers‘ All-Pro wide receiver who is making his way back from ACL surgery.
Aiyuk, of course, held out amid a contract dispute that cost him all of training camp in 2024. He tore his ACL in San Francisco’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 after catching just 25 passes for 374 yards.
Aiyuk has come under fire for some recent social-media posts, which is where the trade rumors cropped up.
Will the San Francisco 49ers Trade Brandon Aiyuk?
Aiyuk, who signed a four-year contract worth $120 million last September, has been mocking reported trade rumors. But he also offered some perspective on where he has been personally — recovering from his knee injury — while he was hearing those rumors.
âThey was talking bout trading me while I was off Percocets/muscle relaxers and peeing in a cup by my bed!â Aiyuk commented on his YouTube channel on June 23. âCouldnât walk for 10 weeks ainât nobody trading for me ð¤£ð.â
Aiyuk is unlikely to be ready for training camp when it opens July 25 in Santa Clara but is expected to join the team at some point before Week 1. He also is off base as it pertains to his trade market, since the 27-year-old has 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first five NFL seasons.
But Garafalo threw cold water on his comments being a dig at the 49ers.
“Now, I know folks are reading into Brandon Aiyuk’s comments as he makes his way back from an ACL injury,” Garafolo said on “The Insiders” recently. “My understanding is Brandon Aiyuk is in a really good space with the team. They’ve got to get him healthy and keep him focused. If they do, that’s another add back to the mix with all this talent on the team.”
What Does Mike Garafalo Think About The 49ers’ Chances in 2025?
The 49ers were ravaged by injuries in 2024, which is a major factor in their 6-11 season. The Niners had 15 different receivers catch at least one pass in 2024 and 12 different ball carriers last season.
So naturally, Garafalo feels the 49ers have great potential to get back to the playoffs in 2025, as long as they stay healthy.
“I think the biggest thing with them is going to be staying healthy,” Garafalo said. “You saw how the injuries piled up.”
Garafalo also cited the Niners’ likely improved fortunes in one-score games, since they went 2-6 in games decided by seven points or less.
Although San Francisco has the easiest strength of schedule by 2024 win percentage, Garafalo stopped short of calling their 2025 slate easy. Still, he likes their chances of finishing atop the NFC West for the third time in four seasons.
“I like their chances of going worst to first,” Garafalo said. “When you look at the schedule, it sets up nicely in part because they finished in last place, which gives them some good matchups in this upcoming season.
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